Potency Analysis

Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Profiles Enable Targeted Cannabis Medicine

can·na·bis [kan–uh-bis]

Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants that produces more than 400 compounds that help protect the plant from environmental hazards, such as bacterial infections and damage from ultraviolet rays. Some of these compounds, administered alone or in various combinations, are now used to treat specific medical conditions in patients.

These compounds fit into many categories, including two that stand out for their observed medicinal effects: cannabinoids and terpenoids.

Cannabis Potency

Cannabis potency can vary widely among plant samples based on genetics (plant strain) and growing conditions such as lighting intensity and intervals, water and nutrient uptake, and stressors like wind, rain, heat, and cold. For instance, if lighting is not uniformly distributed, samples obtained from the top of a plant will differ in potency from samples taken near the base.

The ratios of the compounds, including cannabinoids and terpenoids, also vary widely based on its genetic and environmental factors, which makes certain cannabis products better for treating specific medical conditions than other products. Our comprehensive tests and reports make it easier for patients, caregivers, and medical professionals to map cannabis products to each individual’s medication requirements to obtain the desired therapeutic outcome.

Cannabinoids are expressed in percentage of total weight: milligrams of the cannabinoid divided by milligrams of the sample. This information is critical for enabling patients to gauge dosage levels in edibles and other products that can vary in weight.

Cannabinoids and Terpenoids

Using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) and gas chromatography with a mass spec detector (GC_MS) we are able to separate and quantify the following lists of cannabinoids and terpenoids, respectively present in cannabis and cannabis-based products.

Genetics

To obtain the highest THC and CBD levels, start with good genetics by picking the right strain. Growing conditions affect cannabinoid levels profoundly affect potency. If you decided to experiment with adjusting growing conditions, adjust them one at a time so you can measure the effect of each change.

Moisture Level

Since cannabinoids are not stored in water, drying and curing to achieve a low moisture level of between 6% and 9% will help your sample test higher for cannabinoids.

Labs is licensed by the State of Nevada Division of Health and Behavioral Services under Nevada Law NAC 453A and NRS 453D as a Medical Marijuana Independent Testing Laboratory.

Content and statements in this website are based on the best available information to date provided by state regulations.